I'm new to this forum, and pretty new to airgunning. I found this site and it seems like an awesome place to learn. here is my new Akela with a UTG 3x12x44. I've only tried 3 different pellets so far and all were HN it didn't like the lead ones. So far only good pattern came from the copper jacketed field target trophy power 14.66 grain. any tips will be appreciated. that pattern is 5 pellets at 14 yards. I didn't have anymore time or room to test it further yet. 
Benjamin Akela, my first PCP
- Thread starter Toolmaker
- Start date
Welcome! Try the cheap Crosman Premier Hollowpoints usually found at your local Wal-Mart. Crank the power down to half way or just above half way maybe 2/3 max because max power is too fast at around 1000fps shooting the Crosman pellets that would give you inch to inch and a half groups at 50 yards. At lower power when the power adjuster is cranked only half way to 2/3 max you may get sub one inch capable at 50yards maybe even half inch.
Even your pellets you are shooting right now try crank it to only half power or less see your groups get better because you are probably shooting them too fast cranked all the way to max power. I wouldn't go past 2/3 to 3/4 power for accuracy unless you shoot heavier JSB 18gr or H&N Baracuda 21gr.
Limited to only close range 20 yards and under try minimum power or 1/4 way up so you get a lot more shots and don't need to waste air.
Run it over a chronograph and record your results. You want to keep your maximum speed between 800 and 888fps regardless of what pellet you shoot.
Even your pellets you are shooting right now try crank it to only half power or less see your groups get better because you are probably shooting them too fast cranked all the way to max power. I wouldn't go past 2/3 to 3/4 power for accuracy unless you shoot heavier JSB 18gr or H&N Baracuda 21gr.
Limited to only close range 20 yards and under try minimum power or 1/4 way up so you get a lot more shots and don't need to waste air.
Run it over a chronograph and record your results. You want to keep your maximum speed between 800 and 888fps regardless of what pellet you shoot.
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For reference shooting the 14.3gr Crosman Premier Hollowpoints at minimum power is shooting 570-590fps and 760-780fps on half power and 1000fps on max power.
You will notice how quiet and calm it shoots the lower you adjust the power adjuster too and significantly more shots per fill.
At minimum power that's enough to kill a bird at 30-35 yards easy and squirrels at 20-25 yards.
You will notice how quiet and calm it shoots the lower you adjust the power adjuster too and significantly more shots per fill.
At minimum power that's enough to kill a bird at 30-35 yards easy and squirrels at 20-25 yards.
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Hi
Welcome.
Try the JSB 16 and 18 gr and the redesigned ones, they are the most used
Regards
Enkey
PS. Nice workshop to tune airguns
Welcome.
Try the JSB 16 and 18 gr and the redesigned ones, they are the most used
Regards
Enkey
PS. Nice workshop to tune airguns
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This is gonna sound stupid to a lot of you but I'd rather sound dumb than hurt the gun. I have an Akela too. When you adjust the power level on it, do you have to let all the air out of it like you do when adjusting a regulator? I couldn't find anything that says one way or another. I assume you just turn it and be done but was afraid to try it.
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No it's totally fine to adjust power adjuster no need to let out the air or degass the gun and no regulator to go bad either.
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What O'Doyle said. Try Crosmans at half to 3/4 power for 760- 900 fps. Find the setting where its most accurate. I was shooting mine at full power at 1000 fps and they were still fairly accurate out to 50 yards. But for best results mine was shooting the JSB 18 gr at 925 fps on full power, hammer spring backed all the way out, and I was getting 1/2" to 3/4" groups at 50 yards. I've never had much luck with H&N pellets in my pcp's. They were ok, just not great. But the 14.66 shot great out of my 0.22 springers. For pcp's I stick to JSB in various weights, and Crosman 14.3 if the gun likes them. My 2 cents.
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Thanks everyone! My only complaint about this rifle is that actual power knob! It doesn't seem to turn very easily for me. In fact at first I thought it was somehow locked into position because it didn't want to move. It doesn't seem like it has much over all movement, and it being so thought to turn, seems small adjustments will be tough. Is this normal for the power knob? Or ya think I may have a lemon?
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The one on my Akela is also hard to move. What the power knob does is restrict the air flow from the valve to a greater or lesser degree depending on the setting. You have one heck of a shop!
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Not specifically sure but if there's no "clicks" to the adjustment you would rather have the power adjuster more difficult to move than easier. A frustrating issue with some great air rifles, including the highly-praised AAS510 older models is that the power wheel moves very freely and will jiggle out of position. Like a midget at a urinal, you have to stay on your toes.
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I just adjusted mine down. Then I read the above post. Mine moved real easily. I just started laughing. I was trying to shoot at 50 yds with the crossman at full power. There's 20 mph crosswinds it was a train wreck. lucky to get 2 inch groups. Like the Toolmaker I can shoot 20 yd shots in my barn. May try that later.
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yep, 20mph crosswind will play heck with just about any pellet especially a 14.3 gr Crosman. This target was shot at 50 yards outside with a light wind. 18 gr jsb shot great at full power. The Crosmans weren't that bad considering they were going 1000 fps. The lower group of crosmans were probably around 800 fps but I didn't chrony them at that setting at that time. Still shot better than the Hades or 16 gr jsb. Also the center group of 18's is six shots. The other six are the left group on the top left target, I just forgot to mark it. The two larger groups were 16 gr jsb at 975 fps.
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I have some of those JSB 18s Hope mine shoot that well. Toolmaker what kind of bipod did you put on yours? I like the looks of that. When my TX sells I'm gonna get one.
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My father bought that bipod 30 years ago at a local sporting good store that's now out of business. Sol's sporting goods. I'll take a closer look for ya to see if there is a model #. It was originally on my Remington model 7 youth model .243 I was head shotting ground hog with that bipod at the age of 12.
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I’ve found mine likes slower velocities. Groups shrink down to nothing at 670-700fps.
This might sound lame but at that speed the pellet is doing its weight in fpe.
At 670 a 14grain is producing 14fpe, 21g /21fpe.
I’ve gotten 48 consistent shots with 21-23 grain H&n slugs by Chasing my velocities,
starting lower, finding where the pellet/ slug is hitting these speeds then as it falls off I make hairline adjustments to the power.
I've gotten 72 shots total(6 mags) using 15.89 hades. I threw out 12 shots total which where the adjustment shots that came in a little too hot or the shots that dropped off before adjustment
seriously if you can notice you turned the dial it’s too much. Shots taken at 36 yards.
This might sound lame but at that speed the pellet is doing its weight in fpe.
At 670 a 14grain is producing 14fpe, 21g /21fpe.
I’ve gotten 48 consistent shots with 21-23 grain H&n slugs by Chasing my velocities,
starting lower, finding where the pellet/ slug is hitting these speeds then as it falls off I make hairline adjustments to the power.
I've gotten 72 shots total(6 mags) using 15.89 hades. I threw out 12 shots total which where the adjustment shots that came in a little too hot or the shots that dropped off before adjustment
seriously if you can notice you turned the dial it’s too much. Shots taken at 36 yards.
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Never touched the power settings on my Akela and sighted it in at 25 yds. in a vise stand with H&N Hornet pellets. Basically all the same hole.. I now shoot NSA 31.2 gr. .2175 with super accuracy. All of my Benjamins love anything I feed them but I am partial to shooting slugs . I have shot 13 different pellets and the Hornets and the Polymg shorts are neck and neck but I now only use them in my Crosman pistol's. Farthest headshot on a squirrel so far is 50 yds give or take. Was thinking of turning to 3 on the dial to eliminate pass throughs and just compensating with a holdover but haven't tried it yet.
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